So the days are getting shorter and nights getting longer. We have put the heating on and started drinking more hot drinks. I love this time of year.

It’s cosy, exciting and, dare I say it, feels like the build up to Christmas has well and truly begun.

So now that the children have been sleeping through the night for the past few months, Michael and I have been sorting out the house and getting those annoying jobs done that needed attention for the past couple of years.

Trips to the tip are now as regular as heading to Sainsbury’s and feel just as good.

Another great feeling is helping local businesses, something we feel passionate about.

We now have a plumber who we only just found out lives across the road.

He is so lovely and will definitely be on the invite list for a neighbours’ get-together.

We found an amazing curtain rail fitter too. His name is Chris and he runs his own company called Crest.

He was precise, professional and helpful even though my son insisted on calling him “crisp”, which was amusing, to say the least.

Once the rail was up, all we needed were curtains.

Simple, right? Well, unfortunately it was a bit of a fiasco.

The local lady who measured them turned up after a heavy night out, so it wasn’t a surprise when the curtains were delivered they were 20cm too short.

You should have seen the horror on everyone’s faces. Curtains were returned, fabric has been replaced and we are now looking for a new curtain maker. Any suggestions gladly received.

As well as all that, a handyman has been booked and the sofas are being cleaned tomorrow. So let’s just say behind every orderly home is someone local who can sort it.